night goes on

Hearing your old nickname made you tense up for a second, the empty plastic cup in your hand getting crushed slightly as you heard the old, familiar voice of the high school star jock and your bully, though it was slightly slurred telling everyone he was already drunk.

Everyone around you looked your way because of the shouting, taking a deep breath you put the cup down on the nearest surface as you heard him shout

"IT IS! CLUMSY KAIN COMES HOME! HOW LONGS IT BEEN?"

"20 years you dumb bastard" you thought to yourself as you turned around to face your old bully, and was surprised with what you saw.

He was fat, really fat. His stomach so fat that he couldn't tuck his shirt into his pants fat. The buttons straining to stay closed and looked like they were going to shoot off any second fat. His face already sweating and out of breath as he'd just walked in from outside, obviously not having done any real excercise for years, fat.

But what boggled your mind was he was wearing his old letterman jacket, nothing coming to mind how he was even able to put it on without tearing it.

"What's a matter Clumsy Kain? Don't tell me you forgotten me? It's me, high school star player, Andre King!"

He walked closer to you and you noticed a limp in his step, he was obviously trying to hide it but doing a bad job of it.

"Look at you Clumsy Kain, still skinny as a twig" he panted as he stopped in front of you, it annoyed you that he kept calling you by the old nickname he gave you back in the day, but you knew why he was using it. He started calling you 'Clumsy Kain' when he realised he'd not get in trouble for bullying you; tripping you up, pushing you into lockers, knocking your stuff out your hands. He'd always just tell the teachers you were clumsy. The only reason he was calling it you now was because of jealousy and still trying to have power of you, but seeing him in the obese, waddling flesh that hadn't done anything with his life for the last 20 years. Pathetic doesn't even cover it.

"And look at you Andre, now you look like the sack of shit you've always been." You said loud enough for everyone to heard a surprised look on Andre's face like he couldn't believe he just heard what came out of your mouth, his piggy eyes blinking for a few seconds as his brain tried to catch up with what was happening. Before he began laughing loudly

"You've grown some balls over the years!" Andre laughed, which quickly turned into a coughing fit as he sat down heavily on one of the collapsable metal chairs, which bent and sunk slightly under his weight. "Where was that spunk in high school huh? Man, if you'd said that to me back then-"

"You'd have beaten me into a coma" You interupted Andre, which surprised him again as you stepped closer to him so you were looking down at him "But we're not in high school any more, Andre. So do us both a favour and stear clear tonight, that way we'll both be happy"

Seeing Andre's face get flustered you turned you back on him and walked away towards the food, you heard the screech of the chair moving across the gym floor as Andre stood, only to be intercepted by John.

"Andre, Bro! Been ages man. Why you never call?"

You heard John say and got Andre's attention as you moved away.

Throughout the night, you kept mingling with the crowd, having polite conversation with most and having some actual laughs with some of the other old nerds who turned up for the reunion. Even so, you kept an eye open for Andre, you knew he was giving you the stink eye all night, catching him looking at you with disdain as he kept downing cup after cup from the punch bowl.

Eventually as the night started getting late, Grace stepped up to the small stage that'd been set up for the DJ and to a small podium where she turned on a microphone and the music stopped. She gave the expected speech of how good it was that so many turned up tonight, and how glad she was to see and hear how many people were doing. She gave some news on how and what people had done with their lives in the last 20 years. But what surprised you, was when she asked you to come up and give a small speech.

To gentle applause you stepped up to the podium and took over the microphone. You looked out at the faces looking at you, by now everyone knew who you are, and were but still a few had surprised looks on the faces on how much you'd changed, as if they were only really believing it now. A few others, specifically the woman, had certain looks on their faces indicating something else on their mind as they looked at you.

"Erm, thanks Grace. I've not got a speech prepared but I'll give it a go" you said which got a small chuckle from the crowd. Thinking for a second, you decided to start with the truth.

"My time in high school was pretty much a tortious Hell." you stated, which got more than a few uncomfortable looks and guilty faces. "I know this, you know this, so there's no denying it. But I've moved on from those days. I got a higher education, worked hard and got some good jobs under my belt and now I can say I live a quiet, comfortable life. But that isn't the kind of life everyone needs or wants. Doing a 9 - 5 job, providing for your family and being better than you were as a stupid teen, that's a good life as well, one that many people here have done and live. I've talked to a lot of people here tonight and I can honestly say they've lived a good life, whether you left town and chased a dream, even if you failed and had to come back, as long as you picked yourself up by your own power or with help of those around you, and helped others. You can proudly say you've lived a good life."

You glanced around the crowd and found John, giving him a small nod and he gave you one in return. You then looked at Grace and said

"Even if you never left, if you can say you've tried to help the town, the people. To try and make it that little bit better over the last 20 years then you've lived a good life"

You watched as Grace, and several other people in the crowd, perk up at your honest words and seemed to be thankful for them. As if they felt like they were in a rut not having moved away or done much with their lives.

"You don't need to get your name into the history books, you don't need to be rich and famous, you don't need to run a large company or even say you're in a managers position. As long as you can look someone in the eyes and say you're happy with how you've lived your life, then I say you've won. Here's to 20 more years of winning."

As you stepped away from the podium you got a louder applause than when you stepped up. As you scanned the crowd, you could see Andre glaring at you, not clapping along with the others, and draining his cup. You smiled to yourself as you sat down at a table, getting a few pats on the back and shoulders from people.

The reunion kept going for another hour before people started to go, the night going on long enough and getting late enough. You said your goodbyes and headed to the doors yourself when your heard a familiar voice shout for you

"OI KAIN!!"

As you turned to face Andre, so did everyone else still in the old gym, seeing the large man swaying and having trouble staying up as he waddled towards you, using the tables to help him stay standing

"Bet you thin your so fucking smart, giving that fucking speech up there" Andre slurred heavily as tried to walk towards you, stumbling slightly as you said and did nothing "Mr fuckin Big Shot, living comofrtably my ass. Bet you ain't shit and not got shit. You... You still the little faggot I kicked the ass of ev...every..day"

"What's your point, Andre" you sighed heavily as you watched him sway and try to keep standing "I've lived my life while you've wasted yours, you fat pathetic sack of shit. I stopped being afraid of you a long time ago."

You could see the anger twist on Andre's face at your words, you let yourself smirk as you looked at him and shook your head. You could see John rushing towards the two of you, knowing he'd try to seperate the two of you again, so you said just loud enough for only Andre to hear

"Bitch."

Andre rushed towards you, his weight proppelling him forwards as he tried to grab you, but years of boxing training as well as MMA has given you some good dodging skills, as well as the skills to deliver a good counter. Slamming your fist into Andre's nose you heard the crunch as you broke it, and before he could stumble anywhere, you gave a swift, sharp kick into the knee of his limping leg, knocking him off balance and his leg instantly giving out, making him drop to the floor and crying out in pain.

"I told you earlier, this isn't high school any more. Now stay on your fat ass, from what I hear that's all you're good for these days"

"F'kn... f'kn kill 'ou" Andre managed to get out as he covered his face with is hands, tears running down his face as well as blood. John trying to get a look at his nose once he got to you both.

Turning around you simply left the hall and school, still hearing Andre shouting after you.

Once you got outside, you took a deep breath of fresh air and rubbed your sore knuckles, not used to punching someone in the face without gloves. As you looked around the car park you saw a few vehicles were left.

And there was Judie, inside her car with the inner lights on, reading a book and no doubt waiting for Andre, probably knowing he'd be took drunk to drive himself home and no one would be willing to house him for the night.